COURSE SYLLABUS: GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
COURSE INFORMATION
Course Number: PSYC2301.S21
Course Title: General Psychology
Course Description: Introduction to scientific psychology as applied to human behavior,
including research methods, physiological factors, learning, motivation, emotions, personality,
adjustment, stress, psychological disorders and therapies. These principles will be applied to
the human experience.
Course Credit Hours:
Lecture Hours: 3 credit hours
Lab Hours: None
Placement Assessment(s): Placement in ENGL1301; College-Level Reading.
Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the history of psychology
and its development.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific methods used
to study behavior and mental processes.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the basic vocabulary of
psychology.
4. Describe the basic theories of psychology, how they are used,
and their current status in the discipline.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of basic process such as
motivation, learning, emotions, group processes, personality,
and human development.
6. Demonstrate an appreciation for the uniqueness of the
individual.
7. Demonstrate a respect for cultural differences in the human
experience.
8. Demonstrate an understanding of how to apply the above to
everyday life.
Withdrawal Policy:
“See the current Collin Registration Guide for the last day to
withdraw.“
Collin College Academic Policies:
“See the current Collin Student Handbook.”
Americans with Disabilities Act: Collin College will adhere to all applicable federal, state and
local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing
reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal
opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the
ACCESS office, SCC-G200 or 972.881.5898 (V/TTD:
972.881.5950) to arrange for appropriate accommodations. See
the current Collin Student Handbook for additional information.
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Instructor’s Name: Patricia Prewitt Coble
Office Number: K237
Office Hours: By appointment, Tues/Thurs 11:30 – 1:30
Phone Number: 972-881-5759
Email: pcoble@collin.edu (best method)
Class Information:
Section Number: S21
Meeting Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:30 – 3:45
Meeting Location: Spring Creek Campus, Room I112
Course Resources:
Textbook: Myers, D. (2010). Psychology 9th edition. New York: Worth Publishers. A copy of
this text is placed on “reserve” in the library.
Textbook Website : http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/myers9e/
Coble Psychology Class Instructional Website: http://iws2.collin.edu/pcoble
Supplies: Course textbook, student ID, library card, scantron forms, folder for portfolio,
sharpened pencils, paper.
Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend each class session.
The last day to withdraw and receive the grade of "W" is March 9, 2012
Method of Evaluation:
Class Attendance and Participation (approximately 16% of final grade): Weekly in class
documented activities are completed and reviewed and are to be organized into a “participation
portfolio” that will be turned in (use folder) at the end of the semester. These activities will be
worth up to 10 points each. The total number of points you can earn is 100. Designated on your
psychology course calendar plan as “in class activities”.
Exams (approximately 68% of final grade): There will be 4 exams worth up to 100 pts. each.
Grand total points on all exams are 400 pts. Exams typically consist of multiple-choice questions
and short answer questions. Make up exams are offered on the day of the final exam
immediately after completing exam 4. Other times for approved make up exams are at the
discretion of the instructor. Designated on your course calendar plan as “exam”.
Psychology News Reports (approximately 16% of final grade): This semester long project
explores current events and current research related to psychology and connects it to topics in
your textbook. In addition to expanding your knowledge and understanding of psychology, the
project promotes continuous development and use of skills in evaluating different sources of
information, reading, writing, speaking, critical thinking, collaborating, and other skills. Project
instructions are provided in writing on a separate form, verbally in class, and digitally on the
instructional web site. Designated on your course calendar plan as “Research in the News”.
Alternative Assessments: Opportunities to earn extra credit are posted on the instructional
web site: iws2.collin.edu/pcoble. Some additional opportunities will only be announced in class!
Up to 60 points can be earned! Your final course grade may increase up to one letter grade
based on these alternative assessment opportunities.
Grading (points available):
EXAMS Total:
Exam #1
Exam #2
Exam #3
Exam #4
400
100
100
100
100
PARTICIPATION PORTFOLIO Total:
PROJECT (Psychology in the News) Total:
Alternative Assessment
100
100
60
A = 540 pts and over
B = 480 - 539 pts
C = 420 - 479 pts
D = 360 - 419 pts
F = 359 < pts
Academic Ethics:
Every member of the Collin College community is expected to maintain the highest standards of
academic integrity. Collin College may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student
accused of scholastic dishonesty. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to,
statements, acts, or omissions related to applications for enrollment or the award of a degree,
and/or the submission of one’s own work material that is not one’s own. Scholastic dishonesty
may involve, but is not limited to, one or more of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism,
collusion, use of annotated texts or teacher’s editions, use of information about exams posted
on the Internet or electronic medium, and/or falsifying academic records. While specific
examples are listed below, this is not an exhaustive list and scholastic dishonesty may
encompass other conduct, including any conduct through electronic or computerized means:
Plagiarism is the use of an author's words or ideas as if they were one's own without giving
credit to the source, including, but not limited to, failure to acknowledge a direct quotation.
Cheating is the willful giving or receiving of information in an unauthorized manner during an
examination, illicitly obtaining examination questions in advance, copying computer or Internet
files, using someone else's work for assignments as if it were one's own, or any other dishonest
means of attempting to fulfill the requirements of a course.
Collusion is intentionally aiding or attempting to aid another in an act of scholastic dishonesty,
including but not limited to providing a paper or project to another student, providing an
inappropriate level of assistance; communicating answers to a classmate during an
examination; removing tests or answer sheets from a test site, and allowing a classmate to copy
answers.
See the current Collin Student Handbook for additional information.
Note: At a minimum, the consequence of academic dishonesty will result in a “zero” grade on
the particular assignment or test. A report is filed with the Dean of Students if further
investigation is needed.
Frequently asked Questions:
Can electronic devices be used in the classroom?
Electronic devices may be used in the classroom to enhance learning of the day’s psychology
topic. If you plan to use electronic devices in the classroom you will be assigned to seating that
will complement the use of the device for you as well as minimize distraction to others. Playing
games, text messaging, listening to music, using cell phones, etc would not be considered as
appropriate use of an electronic device in a learning environment. Please turn off the audio
features of these devices before you enter the classroom. Violation of appropriate use of
devices will immediately disallow your use of them in this class for the rest of the
semester.
How do you handle disruptive students?
The classroom is a scholarly environment and students are expected to behave accordingly.
Expression of ideas, thoughts, opinions, etc. is encouraged, but has to be done in a respectful
manner. Students who express willful disrespect towards their classmates or the instructor may
be asked to leave the classroom.
Do I have to type my work?
Semester project, reaction papers, extra credit reports are all required to be ‘typed’. Typed
papers should be double spaced, one inch margins, 12 pt times roman font.
What if I have to leave class early?
If you must leave class early, please let me know before class starts. Also sit close to the
door so that you do not disrupt class (or me) when you leave. Thank you for your respect!
Spring 2012 Planned General Psychology Course Schedule (Psych 2301.S21/S22)
1
Dates
Class Topic
Jan 17
Orientation: Studying
psychology/Your psychology class
Overview: Defining Psychology/The
breadth of psychology topics
Jan 19
2
3
4
5
6
Jan 24
Jan 26
Jan 31
Feb 2
History of Psychology
Contemporary Perspectives
Psychological Science
Experimental Methods
Feb 7
Feb 9
EXAM 1
Psychology ( Research) in the
News
Biopsychology
Biopsychology
Sensation and Perception
Feb 14
Feb 16
Feb 21
Feb 23
7
Feb 28
Sensation and Perception
Research in the News Report 1
DUE
Consciousness
8
Mar 1
Mar 6
Mar 8
Consciousness
EXAM 2
Learning
Reading/Study Assignments +
Myers
Psychology 9e required chapters (C) * = partial
Syllabus
Review textbook website:
www.worthpublishers.com/myers9e
Review instructional website:
iws2.collin.edu/pcoble
Prologue
Prologue
C1
C1
In- class Activities/
Portfolio Assignments
True or False: A Survey of Topics in
Psychology
Handouts distributed in Class
‘Consuming’ Psychology
C2
C2
C6
Communication in the Nervous System
Mapping the Brain
Sensation Exercise
C6
Gestalt Principles
C3
C3
Circadian Rhythms: Are you an Owl or
Lark?
Sleep and Dream
C7
Enduring Issues
Identifying Perspectives
Inference vs. Observation, Correlation
Identifying Methods, Experimental
Research
Elements of Classical Conditioning
Spring Break
9
Mar 20
Learning
C7
Mar 22
C8
Schedules of Reinforcement,
Reinforcement vs. Punishment
Memory Exercise: STM, Context memory
C8
C11*
Improving Memory
Human Nature Debate
10
Mar 27
Mar 29
Memory
Research in the News Report 2
DUE
Memory
Motivational Concepts
11
Apr 3
Apr 5
Apr 10
Apr 12
Apr 17
Emotion
Emotion
EXAM 3
Intelligence Concepts
Personality Traits
C12
C12
Identifying Universal Emotions
TBD
C10*
C13
Apr 19
Apr 24
Apr 26
May 1
C13, C5*
C14
C14
C15
May 8
Personality Development
Psychological Disorders
Psychological Disorders
Therapy
Research in the News Report 3
DUE
Therapy
Portfolios DUE
Section 22 EXAM 4 4:00 – 6:00 pm
Psychological Testing
Big 5 Personality www.outofservice.com/bigfive/
Perspective Taking: Case Study
Identifying Psychological Disorders
Cognitive Distortions
May 10
Section 21 EXAM 4 2:30-4:30pm
12
13
14
15
May 3
16
C15